United are languishing in eighth place in the league while Pep Guardiola's high-flying City are in prime position to retain their title, sitting top of the ladder.

But Drogba believes if Mourinho was in Guardiola's shoes, he'd be reaping the same rewards.

'I think if you put him at Manchester City, he would have won the league twice, maybe two or three times,' Drogba told The Mirror.

'You get criticism because you set a standard of winning, winning and winning and now you're not winning or having the same results.

'He is still there. You have to look at all the managers who were at Manchester United the last few years. Being manager after Sir Alex Ferguson is not easy and the finances that they had then are not the same as what they have now.

'People only pay attention to the best and he's one of the best and that's why he gets all of this.

'I think he's taking the challenge, because it's a big challenge and if people criticise you then how can you enjoy it? It's tough. After all, he's human. He's trying to change his approach and that's what the best managers do and when things are not working you try to change it.'

United have started the season slowly and are already 12 points off the pace.

Mourinho guided United to second place last season and will hope for a second-half-of-the-season resurgence to propel his side at least back into the Champions League spots.

United's rivals City set many records on the way to winning the Premier League last season